NASA Television to Air Launch of Next Communications Satellite

NASA is targeting 8:03 a.m. EDT Friday, Aug. 18, for the launch of its next Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) mission atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch, and related activities that begin Thursday, Aug. 17, will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website.

TDRS-M, built by Boeing, will provide NASA’s Space Network the ability to support critical space communication into the mid-2020s, ensuring scientists, engineers and control room staff can readily access data for missions like the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station.

A prelaunch news conference will air live on NASA TV at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Participating in this event are:

Tim Dunn, launch director at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in FloridaBadri Younes, deputy associate administrator for Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) at NASA Headquarters in WashingtonDave Littmann, project manager for TDRS-M at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MarylandJames Wilson III, Boeing program manager for NASA/Civil Space ProgramsScott Messer, ULA program manager for NASA missionsClay Flinn, launch weather officer with the 45th Space Wing at Cape CanaveralNASA TV also will air a prelaunch Social Live briefing at 2 p.m. on Thursday featuring some of the speakers listed above, as well as NASA astronauts Steve Bowen and Nicole Mann, among other guests. Participants can submit questions for the social briefing online using #askNASA.

Launch coverage will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Friday with commentary leading up to the 8:03 a.m. start of a 40-minute launch window.

The deadline for media to apply for accreditation for this launch has passed, but more information about media accreditation is available by contacting Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598 or jennifer.p.horner@nasa.gov.

For an updated list of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit: